Bartram Trail
In weekend warrior style ... we completed the Bartram Trail in four sections - mix of north & south bound directions. It's a beautifully tough trail. The North Carolina section in particular is very steep in places with limited campsite options. The Georgia section seemed easier with more camping options. I recommend a tent for this trail due to limited availability of campsites and also lack of strong trees (there's alot of dead ones!).
This is another trail where the mileage from AllTrails is off ... and I strongly recommend getting the map from here (as it shows the campsites and the re-route of the side trail to Pinnacle Knob) ...
https://blueridgebartram.org/shop/maps-and-guides/2022-hiking-map-of-north-carolinas-bartram-trail/
https://blueridgebartram.org/shop/maps-and-guides/2022-hiking-map-of-georgias-bartram-trail/
If you live close enough - I'd recommend just breaking this up into long day hikes instead due to the lack of decent camping options. One of the best campsites is on top of Cheoah Bald (but you've got a climb to get there regardless if you hike in from Stecoah Gap or the NOC).
The trail is dog friendly.
If you need a shuttle, I highly recommend Nate (Traveling Lite - 1.817.239.4266) or Sherpa Al (1.305.216.7234).
Day 1
Mom & I set off from Stecoah Gap (after parking at Sawmill Gap and getting shuttled by Nate with Traveling Lite) towards Cheoah Bald. Cheoah Bald is the northern terminus of the Bartram Trail and where I'd begin my section hike of the Bartram! What a surprise since when we got out of the car at Sawmill the temperature was in the 50's ... while at Stecoah we got shocked by temps in the 30's!! Little did we know what else we'd see along the way! Grateful to have all the gear to stay warm and tents to withstand the wind & protect us from the cold!
Day 2
Waking up to beautiful sunshine and clear blue skies and calmer winds was a blessing! After we enjoyed a sunrise view from the comfort of our tents, we got packed up and officially start the Bartram! It was filled with several ice cold creek crossings as we zig-zagged with Ledbetter Creek. Followed by a walk along the Nantahala Bikeway alongside the Nantahala River and seeing some daffodils along the way. Before once again climbing along several switchbacks and enjoying the winter time views. We reached camp by Piercy Creek and enjoyed our meals by the fire!
Day 3
Our final day was a whopping 15 mile day with too much elevation gain from Piercy Creek to Sawmill Gap! Left camp at 8am and got to the car at 6:30pm! Long day but gorgeous ridge views, lake scenery, and road walking.
Stecoah Gap to Sawmill Gap
*I'd highly recommend doing this as a 3 night trip ... that last day was killer!
Wallace Branch to Sawmill Gap
Day 1
Happy to be back on the trail with a friend ... we hit the trail! The Bartram trend continued with some relentless uphills while providing gorgeous wintertime views of the valleys below. We made it up to Wayah Bald where we enjoyed cooking with a view and relished in the calm before the storm!
Day 2
After a rough night enduring the rain and wind (and my friend having to seek shelter in the bathroom and battling a mouse) we set out for the car at a quick pace. It was a beautiful hike even in the rain and fog.
Hale Ridge to Hickory Knoll
*I'd recommend doing this as a 2 night trip
Day 1
After leaving one car parked at Hickory Knoll we headed down to Hale Ridge. It's a bit bumpy and a couple places where you have to watch your ground clearance but totally fine as both our vehicles managed this road safely! Once on the trail ... we enjoyed long range mountain views and open vistas, a variety of terrain. After a long day on trail ...we made it to camp at Whiterock Gap where we just set up our tents and crashed!
Day 2
After enduring freezing cold temperatures… we hit the trail. Ice, needle ice, views that didn’t seem to end, and a cool bus … were all sites along the way of our second day! Whiterock Gap to Hickory Knoll…what a way to finish the North Carolina section of the Bartram!
Hale Ridge to Hwy 28
Day 1
Back on the trail with my mom to finish the last section of the Bartram. Everything was so green - so limited views until we came out on top of Rabun Bald. Fantastic view from the top especially to the south and east of the tower. There's some nice campsites right by the tower too! There was plenty of water going north from Hale Ridge but once we started going South past Rabun there wasn't much water. We decided to do as much miles as we could just in case the "planned Alltrails" mileage was off. After an awkward encounter with a group of guys that Sally wanted no part of (she growled at them) - we found incentive to walk a bit further to a perfect little campsite nested among some mountain laurel. We enjoyed some cold soak meals before crashing out for the night. And if you want to know if 2-25" wide pads will fit in my tent (DR LI) ... the answer is yes!
Day 4
Day 4 … after hustling ourselves to get packed up after the whole tree incident - we hit the trail. Enjoying our last miles of the Bartram along the river.
Day 2
After getting a good night's rest, we hit the trail trying to beat the rain! We stopped by Pinnacle Knob (definitely worth the extra effort) before we dropped down to see Martin Creek Falls and Becky Branch Falls. After reaching Warwoman Dell - we took a break before our last uphill push of the day. We got to camp and was part way through our meals before the rain decided to join us. So, we gathered up under my tarp to finish our meals and get sorted out for the evening. While lounging back in the hammock, the sun decided to make one last appearance before the rain once again returned - lulling me to sleep!
Day 3
Thankfully the rain passed thru while we were sleeping. So, we got to enjoy more nice weather along the way. We ended up stopping initially at one campsite but decided to move about 1/2 mile up due to all of the dead trees!! Had a nice site by the river …